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Topic: what to put in a multigrain ale (Read 1688 times)

So for the last 3 years I make this American Wheat based on the BCS recipe, which is roughly 50% pale malt, 30% rye, and 20% wheat, lightly hopped at 60m and flameout with a combo of Willamette, Centennial, Cascade, Hallertauer, or whatever I feel like, to about 20-25 IBUs. I aim for it to finish around 1.010-1.012, with ABV around 5.5% to 6.0%. It's a nice spring/summer beer. Anyways for my buddies I make a sort of novelty/jokey label touting it as healthy multigrain high-fiber beer, blah blah blah.

So I get to thinking as I brewed it a month ago, what can I add to make it really "multigrain". Obviously I could toss some oat malt or flaked oats in there. But who's put really weird grains in their beers, and what were the results? I'm thinking maybe millet or buckwheat? Flax is a little oily, but? I could do corn; flaked is boring so what about popcorn? Or spelt or bulgur wheat? I'm open to experimentation if it won't totally ruin a batch.

You can throw some triticale flakes in (Bob's red mill make 'em) - it's a cross between rye-wheat. I know of one maltster who malts the grain but you have to be an industrial baker to get it! Apparently the malted stuff has similar gummy-ness levels as Barley malt and doesn't need a protein rest.

Another thing would be buckwheat - try some health food outlets. A a few French beers use it to add a bit of nuttiness to the beer.

Throw in the kitchen sink too! Just kidding, I vote for sorghum or quinoa. Not actually basing that on experience but it sounds interesting. I'll be racking my IPA today, which has 1 lb of flaked corn. Pretty excited to try it! I also just kicked a batch of rye pale ale which had both rye and wheat. Great combo!

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Beer is like music. I don't have a favorite. I'll take a well-made example of any style!